Obama to Russian leader: I’ll cave after I’m re-elected
Just a reminder, to those ambivalent about President Obama’s track record in his first term, of the kinds of things that could await us once he no longer has to run for re-election. From ABC News’ Jake Tapper:
At the tail end of his 90 minute meeting with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev Monday, President Obama said that he would have “more flexibility” to deal with controversial issues such as missile defense, but incoming Russian President Vladimir Putin needs to give him “space.”
The exchange was picked up by microphones as reporters were let into the room for remarks by the two leaders.
The exchange:
President Obama: On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it’s important for him to give me space.
President Medvedev: Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you …
President Obama: This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.
President Medvedev: I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir.
Medvedev got his gist the first time, but Obama went ahead and made it quite explicit that he would cave to Putin once he’s safely ensconced in his second term. A couple of administration officials could only give half-hearted defenses of the president’s words to Tapper — after all, how do you defend Obama here?
The vaunted “reset” with Russia, botched even in its symbolism from the beginning, has been an utter failure. Moscow has been no help regarding Iran or Syria, its bullying domination of its “near abroad” has continued unabated, and all we have to show for it is less of a commitment on our part to erecting a missile defense that never had anything to do with curtailing Russia; Putin’s protests to the contrary were laughable to anyone with even a rudimentary understanding of the kinds of missiles in question.
And now, we get a preview of the further backtracking — er, resetting — toward the untrustworthy Putin we can expect in a second Obama term. One has to wonder which other world leaders have received such requests for “space,” and to what ends.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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333 comments Add your comment
Cassie
March 26th, 2012
4:38 pm
Regarding today’s SCOTUS case – here is an international perspective:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9165629/Elderly-dying-due-to-despicable-age-discrimination-in-NHS.html
Elderly dying due to ‘despicable age discrimination in NHS’
Thousands of elderly people are dying unnecessarily early because ‘despicable’ age discrimination in the NHS is denying them treatment for cancer, a charity has warned.
“A lack of treatment or insufficient treatment is contributing to 14,000 deaths a year in people over the age of 75, Macmillan Cancer Support has found, in what it called an ‘unacceptable act of discrimination’.
Deaths from cancer are reducing in most age groups but at a slower rate in those aged 74 to 84 and are increasing in people aged 85 and over, the report said.
The report, The Age Old Excuse: the under treatment of older cancer patients, said treatment options are too often recommended on the basis of age rather than how fit the patient is.
Professor Riccardo Audisio, Consultant Surgical Oncologist at St Helens Hospital, said: “It is despicable to neglect, not to offer, not to even go near to the best treatment option only on the simple basis of the patient’s age.
“This has been a horrible mistake that, particularly in the UK, we have suffered from.”
Although it’s true that I am a liberal, I DO NOT want my health care to be decided by government bean-counters ….their idea of efficiency is letting someone else’s loved one die from lack of treatment, because ‘it’s for the greater good.’ Ugh.
IT AIN'T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
4:40 pm
@Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
4:17 pm
.
I have absolutely NO RESPECT WHATSOEVER FOR THE MARXIST JERK NOW SEATED IN OUR OVAL OFFICE!
Let all his fellow Marxist supporters fume.
**********************************************************************
What’s that smell?
Cons FUMING over what they THOUGHT Obama said.
Not what he actually said.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
4:44 pm
“Going into hysterics over Obama’s vague remarks only proves you have little or no skills in reading comprehension.”
Not really that vague at all, carlos. Especially considering there has been no viable alternative to Kyle’s opinion brought forth by any of you libs.
“Obama really doesn’t hate America and will not committ treason and sell us out to the Russians.”
Let’s see . . . scrolling back . . . . scrolling back . . . . scrolling back . . . . NOPE! Couldn’t find anywhere where I said he’d commit treason, carlos. Tell you what. I’ll write for me and you read it. Don’t try to write for me, OK?
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
4:46 pm
“Not what he actually said.”
OK, here’s what he said: President Obama: “This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.”
Tell us what that means to you, if you actually can put together a cogent thought.
Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
4:48 pm
Sure you are hehe, that’s why you Marxist continually attempt to cover every negative comment and remark made about your dear ruler obumer and Socialism on these conservatives blogs – out of fear.
Strange how I nor any conservative to my memory, ever pitched whiny childish tantrum and called on bookman to take back anything negative he said about Bush?
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
4:49 pm
carlosgvv: Well, let’s see. If he does not have to worry about re-election, he can take more decisive action without worrying about Republicans distorting everything he does.
—————
More decisive action in doing…what, exactly?
Your guy’s a traitor.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
March 26th, 2012
4:49 pm
obozo Lawyer Laughed at In Supreme Court
The dummycrats sent in the klowns.
Rafe Hollister
March 26th, 2012
4:52 pm
The excuses from the Obama sycophants are to be expected, nothing the man does is ever questionable it seems.
What is truly amazing are the same people that incessantly defend Oblamer can always be counted on to spin Russian actions, threats, and propaganda in the most positive (almost Orwellian, illogically comical) ways. Makes you wonder if there is a connection between loving Oblamer and loving totalitarianism.
MarkV
March 26th, 2012
4:54 pm
Kyle has written today a contemptible, despicable article. It is one thing to criticize the President for a policy you disagree with. It is something else to take a few innocuous words, by which no promise is made other than not being rigid in future negotiations, and interpret that as having the intention to take a negotiating position contrary to the interest of this country. Kyle has disingenuously asked for “alternative scenarios,” as if he had presented any of his own. He has not. If his scenario is that “Obama intends to cave in,” than the alternative scenario is that “Obama does not intend to cave in.” By his article Kyle showed himself not better than those who use labels to besmirch the President, and about who he wrote in his blog rules:
“I will also have high tolerance for labels (e.g., socialist, fascist, wingnut) regardless of political orientation, if only because they reveal weakness on the labeler’s part.”
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
4:55 pm
Obozo: This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.
———————
The Obozo receptacles, on the other hand, already have plenty of flexibility…from bending over forward so often.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
5:03 pm
What does this being his last election have to do with anything?
The only rational interpretation is that he’s intending to do something Americans oppose.
Democrats are probably for it though.
Democrats and Obozo: Why do they work so hard to weaken America?
Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
5:05 pm
Go ahead Kyle, put all your Marxist readers in time out until after Nov. 6 – I mean, really, you can afford to lose two people
!
Linda
March 26th, 2012
5:09 pm
Waaaaaay back in ‘08, Obama told us to our faces what his destructive intentions were.
FOX News was never Obama’s worst enemy. His worst enemies are YouTube & search engines. I’ve been citing his very own words on this blog for 3 years.
Obama talked about “my first term” & is now taking about “my election.” There was no “IF I’m elected.” Will our votes count or will those counting the votes count?
If Obama is re-elected, he will no longer need to deny what he actually SAID & what he is actually DOING. He will no longer find it necessary to hide his true agenda. It will be apparent to even the least cognitive swappers of ignorance.
The Land of the Free will continue down this spiral to the Land of the Free Stuff, until there’s no more freedom & no more stuff. The money is already gone.
I have a shiver down my spine.
Big D
March 26th, 2012
5:09 pm
Here are a few cogent thoughts for the edification of the local Democrats by a United States Senator.
In a statement, Kyl said that the president canceled plans for anti-ballistic missile systems in Poland and Czech Republic and supported langauge in the New START arms treaty that links missile defense to nuclear reductions.
“We know the administration is sharing information with Russia, including plans to deploy missile defenses in Europe,” Kyl said. “We know the president has significantly reduced funding and curtailed development of the U.S. national missile defense system, undermining our ability to effectively intercept long-range ballistic missiles. And we know the president has doubled-down on efforts to reduce our nuclear arsenal while failing to honor his promises to modernize the aging nuclear weapons complex.”
However, Kyl said what is unknown is what Obama has planned for after the election after gaining the reported “flexibility” in dealing with Moscow.
“Perhaps the Russians, in whom President Obama recently confided, could shed some light on his missile defense plans for the American people who otherwise have been left in the dark by this president,” Kyl said.
Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
5:13 pm
Ever notice how these intolerant Marxist hate truth in advertising and proper labeling, Kyle? It is so telling, isn’t it?
Rafe Hollister
March 26th, 2012
5:14 pm
Just read all the comments, posters repeatedly calling on Oblamer’s apologists to provide any “possible” alternate meaning for what he said. No one has posted anything plausible.
It is apparent to me that Kyle is correct, he was signaling that after the election he could more easily comply with Russian requests, in spite of American public opinion. What are those requests? When has Russia ever asked to do something in America’s best interest?
This concerns me, as to what else this failure will attempt to do after the election.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
5:18 pm
MarkV, why don’t you stop whining and repeating your complaint and actually do as the host asks:
Provide a plausible alternative.
Or just head over to Bookman’s where you won’t get you a$$ handed to you so often.
Dusty
March 26th, 2012
5:20 pm
If some here do not know the meaning of “cave”, I give you the dictionary’s definition
#1(colloq) -to give, yield or submit.
Now some of you need to go back and see that the president said “cave” and why he would wait to say it after the election.
Obama does not want to lose the next election by saying he would yield or submit to Putin nnow.. That is saying he would yield to Russia and that is something Americans never want to hear.. No mistaking that, as many have suggested.
The president knows he would not be re-elected with “caving ” policies. Therefore he postpones any such suggestions.
MarkV, you owe Kyle an apology. We still have freedom of speech and Kyle was only speaking the obvious conclusion about the conversation reported in world news. It was a fair observation.
You have chosen a blinded view of the president. That does not necessarily make it right nor does it cancel the opinion of others. You demand unavailable facts when you do not want to hear the opinions of others. That is not the characteristic of an open mind. (Open meaning reasonable).
IT AIN'T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
5:20 pm
@Rafe Hollister
March 26th, 2012
4:52 pm
.
What is truly amazing are the same people that incessantly defend Oblamer can always be counted on to spin Russian actions, threats, and propaganda in the most positive (almost Orwellian, illogically comical) ways. Makes you wonder if there is a connection between loving Oblamer and loving totalitarianism.
**********************************************************************
What’s NOT surprising are the same people that incessantly ATTACK Obama can always be counted on.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
5:21 pm
The lefties on this thread are noticeably less well-represented and more subdued than usual.
Very curious.
IT AIN'T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
5:24 pm
@Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
5:05 pm
Go ahead Kyle, put all your Marxist readers in time out until after Nov. 6 – I mean, really, you can afford to lose two people
*********************************************************************************************
I DONT think I heard the FAT lady sing.
It ain’t over til its over.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
5:27 pm
Everyone step over the steaming pile and move on.
Thanks.
Big D
March 26th, 2012
5:27 pm
A leter to the president;
“Congress has made exquisitely clear to your administration and to other nations that it will block all attempts to weaken U.S. missile defense,” Turner stated in the letter. “As the chairman of the strategic forces subcommittee, which authorizes U.S. missile defense and nuclear weapons policy, I want to make perfectly clear that my colleagues and I will not allow any attempts to trade missile defense of the United States to Russia or any other country.”
Turner noted that during the December 2010 ratification debate over the New START arms treaty with Russia the president made specific promises that Russia’s opposition to U.S. missile defenses would not impact U.S. plans to deploy both short- and medium-range missile defenses in Europe and elsewhere.
Additionally, the president promised to make both “qualitative and quantitative improvements in its missile defenses,” Turner said.
“You have already walked away from detailed promises to modernize the U.S. nuclear deterrent; are you now planning to walk away from your promises regarding U.S. missile defense as well?” Turner asked.
Amid concerns that the administration planned to share highly classified missile defense secrets with Russia in an effort to assuage Moscow’s fears that U.S. defenses will target its missiles, the defense authorization bill signed into law by the president contains a provision that limits the president’s ability to share classified data with Russia.
“Congress took this step because it was clear based on official testimony and administration comments in the press that classified information about U.S. missile defenses, including hit-to-kill technology and velocity at burnout information, may be on the table as negotiating leverage for your reset with Russia,” Turner said, noting that the president said he may treat the limit as nonbinding when he signed the defense bill into law.
The comments in Seoul, in addition to the signing statement, “suggests that you and your administration have plans for U.S. missile defenses that you believe will not stand up to electoral scrutiny,” Turner said.
Turner said Congress has made clear to the administration and to other nations that it will block all efforts by the administration to weaken missile defenses.
Sam
March 26th, 2012
5:27 pm
queue the self-righteous indignation…how many presidents have used a governing strategy of taking on politically touchy issues after their last election….i would guess every single one since the beginning of time. i would expect at kyle (not necessarily his readers) to be smart enough to understand this. Heck, GWB wouldnt say no to Dick Cheney until after his last election and he had already drove him off a cliff for crissakes. and why all of a sudden is it so important what russia thinks? thought either youre with us or against us, we can go it alone, who cares what those communists have to say, and all that stuff….
IT AIN'T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
5:28 pm
@Lil’ Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
5:21 pm
The lefties on this thread are noticeably less well-represented and more subdued than usual.
Very curious.
***************************************************************************
BOOKMAN got ‘em all booked on his blog. Over 500. COMPARED to Wingfield’s 171.
Hate ain’t as popular as you all THINK.
IT AIN'T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
5:29 pm
@Lil’ Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
5:27 pm
Everyone step over the steaming pile and move on.
Thanks.
********************************************************************
I am MOVING ON to Bookman’s.
THANKS
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
5:31 pm
Sam: who cares what those communists have to say
——————
Obozo obviously cares very much. So much so that he had to make a secret deal with the Russians to do their bidding, right after the election.
Your guy’s a traitor.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
5:32 pm
“Hate ain’t as popular as you all THINK.”
You haven’t seen hate until you’ve been to Bookman’s. It’s just not focused on your side of the aisle.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
5:34 pm
“how many presidents have used a governing strategy of taking on politically touchy issues after their last election”
Probably a great many.
How many have articulated their future strategy to our biggest geo-political rival and within earshot of reporters?
Probably none.
IT AIN'T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
5:34 pm
@Tiberius – Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
5:18 pm
MarkV, why don’t you stop whining and repeating your complaint and actually do as the host asks:
Provide a plausible alternative.
Or just head over to Bookman’s where you won’t get you a$$ handed to you so often.
******************************************************************
There are over 500 BLOGGERS over at Bookman’s.
ONLY 176 over here.
Looks like HATE ain’t that popular over here with ONLY 176 comments.
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
5:34 pm
Kyle, please out some speakers in the time out room so these Marxist can hear the FAT LADY warming up. Meanwhile, you two can FRET and resume confirming your fear of losing by continuing to spin every remark and comment we conservatives make after Kyle releases you two comrades on Nov 7 of this year.
Love it when these Marxist have to work so hard just to get a day pass to defend their failed dear ruler obumer mm, mm, mm.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
5:36 pm
This episode reminds me of the scene in Godfather where all the Corleone’s enemies get knocked off right after the baptism. Except in this updated version, America’s missile defenses get whacked right after the election.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
5:37 pm
Looks like HATE ain’t that popular over here
—————
Bingo.
Big D
March 26th, 2012
5:37 pm
And below is the truth about the Obama Administration’s secret under ther table gifts to Russia of our most important defense system. Unfortunately for Obama, Putin let the cat out of the bag which is what Obama now probably has in mind when he asks for Putins cooperation and what Obama has in mind for “after the election.” I don’t know how the radical left can justify this but they will try.
Putin told reporters last month prior to his election as president that lengthy talks with the United States on European missile defense had failed because U.S. negotiators were unwilling to codify oral proposals made in the talks as part of a formal agreement.
“They made some proposals to us which we virtually agreed to and asked them to get them down on paper,” Putin told foreign news editors Feb. 2.
“They made a proposal to us just during the talks, they told us: we would offer you this, this and that. We did not expect this, but I said: we agree. Please put it down on paper. We were waiting for their answer for two months. We did not get it, and then our American partners withdrew their own proposals, saying: no, it’s impossible.”
The proposals included guarantees that U.S. and NATO missile defenses would not be directed at Russia’s missiles.
Additionally, U.S. negotiators, according to Putin, offered the ability to conduct round-the-clock monitoring of anti-missile systems and radar to make sure they were fixed toward Iran and unable to target Russia.
“This would not change the situation dramatically, but we said: okay, it’s already something, we agree. Put it down on paper. But they refused,” Putin said.
The comments contradict the statements of Ellen Tauscher, former undersecretary of state for international security, who denied that she and other U.S. officials had offered concessions to Moscow on missile defenses that would legally constrain U.S. defenses.
It is clear OBama wanted to make verbal agreements he could keep secret from the American people.
IT AIN'T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
5:38 pm
@Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
5:34 pm
Kyle, please out some speakers in the time out room so these Marxist can hear the FAT LADY warming up. Meanwhile, you two can FRET and resume confirming your fear of losing by continuing to spin every remark and comment we conservatives make after Kyle releases you two comrades on Nov 7 of this year.
Love it when these Marxist have to work so hard just to get a day pass to defend their failed dear ruler obumer mm, mm, mm.
**************************************************************
You working pretty hard there yourself MIKEY.
heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
5:38 pm
“There are over 500 BLOGGERS over at Bookman’s.”
Correction, chowderhead. There are over 500 COMMENTS, not bloggers, over at Bookman’s. His site is not much different than Kyle’s in that most of the posts are generated by just a few people; they’re just more prolific than those over here, who need less repeated comments to get our points across.
Many of us write in complete sentences as well, in direct opposition to many of Bookman’s regulars on the left.
Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
5:39 pm
IT AIN’T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
5:29 pm
I am MOVING ON to Bookman’s.
THANKS
……
IT AIN’T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
5:34 pm
There are over 500 BLOGGERS over at Bookman’s.
ONLY 176 over here.
Looks like HATE ain’t that popular over here with ONLY 176 comments.
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
——————
Well, at least you are as good as your lying PreZ’dent at keeping your word!
IT AIN'T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
5:39 pm
@Lil’ Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
March 26th, 2012
5:37 pm
Looks like HATE ain’t that popular over here
—————
Bingo.
*******************************************************
KEEP HOPE ALIVE.
IT AIN'T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
5:39 pm
Enter your comments here
IT AIN'T A LIE IF ALL OF YOU BELIEVE IT (heeheeheehee)
March 26th, 2012
5:40 pm
@Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
5:39 pm
***********************************************************************
I have the RIGHT to CHANGE my mind.
I am having so much funny.
Linda
March 26th, 2012
5:41 pm
Tiberius, Kyle has a blog. The other one is a cult, an exchange of ignorance. When the opinion writer went on vacation & left up a mural, there were 5000-6000 comments.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 26th, 2012
5:42 pm
“I have the RIGHT to CHANGE my mind.”
One would first have to have one, before one could change it.
Big D
March 26th, 2012
5:43 pm
Obviously the Obama Administration got caught with their pants down and are now using the tired old communist tactic of mocking their opponents because the don’t have facts to support their cover up.
Miochael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
5:43 pm
Hey hehe, having problems finding the the exit door?
Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
5:48 pm
Yeah your getting your head handed to you on a platter and your arse planted like a fence post.
Yo, obumer, you better call in reinforcements. You’re losing turf and getting hammered brutally over here on Wingfield’s blog.
Hillbilly D
March 26th, 2012
5:49 pm
The lesson here is one that should’ve been learned a long time ago, you don’t show your hand until all the bets have been made.
Lesson B is that one should assume that all microphones are hot, all the time.
Sam
March 26th, 2012
5:51 pm
more flexibility = a secret deal? my goodness you folks do let your imaginations run wild. like i said to kyle, i dont expect his readers to be smart enough to understand how governing works. i’m old enough to remember when questioning the president was equated to being a traitor. that would be the last administration and his followers…so maybe you’re the real traitor.
Michael H. Smith
March 26th, 2012
5:56 pm
Hillbilly D
For apologist who never learned not to show one’s naked butt to the world, there are no teachable moments to assume for obumer.
I mean, c’mon guys and gals, this guy caved long before there was any reason to concede anything to anyone and now, only now, there is doubts about him?
Knock me over with a feather… whoosh, whoosh
Sam
March 26th, 2012
5:57 pm
i also seem to recall the former president having looked into Putin’s heart and having a wonderful trusting bond with the man, meanwhile he got his hat handed to him. maybe obama is playing the same game and after the election he’ll tell russia to go f themselves…i know its a 24/7 election these days but this is really a non-issue..you can do better kyle, or can you?
Rafe Hollister
March 26th, 2012
6:03 pm
TRASHMAN, you said you WANTED to leave. Ok, you can go now, good riddance!